104 THEATRE SUSTAINMENT BRIGADE
104 Theatre Sustainment Brigade Round Up
Oct 2025
Maj Mark Player
This period saw 9 Regt RLC at the centre of events within 104 Th Sust Bde as they undertook their first formal CYCLONE training pathway under the new Land Training System, culminating in deployment to mainland Europe as a Theatre Enabling Group HQ. CYCLONE builds on individual trade training to establish a common level of collective proficiency across the Unit in its’ special-to-arm role( s). It begins with revision of core soldiering skills and culminates in the Unit being validated as ready for operations, with further training available on progression to the STORM series of events. 9 RLC initiated its pathway in May 2025 with exercises focused on fieldcraft, whilst attention shifted in June to trade-specific roles, with joint exercises between 66 Fuel & GT Sqn and 21 Transport Sqn, as well as 84 Med Supply Sqn and 94 QOGLR Supply Sqn. The regiment then deployed in July on Ex CYCLONE PANTHER, a two-week field exercise. Week one promoted further crosstrade awareness and tested Sqn SHQs in managing composite logistic units. In week two, Sqns reverted to their core structures to deliver warfighting outputs across southern England.
Following a short pause for Summer leave, 9 RLC were joined in September and October by other force elements to form the Theatre Enabling Group for Ex AUSTERE SHIELD 25 in Latvia, supporting 8 Engr Bde’ s biennial training concentration. The exercise had c. 650 military on the ground from 104TSB and 8X. This tested elements of the ARRC’ s Theatre Enablement capability as part of TARASSIS 25; an SJFHQ exercise series showcasing the Joint Expeditionary Force’ s capabilities and utility. It demonstrated the JEF’ s agility in addressing European security challenges under NATO Article 3, reinforcing its role as a complementary force within NATO. It also marked the first deployment of our new PLS vehicles overseas – an important step in proving the ability to operate them safely.
HQ 8X deployed as an OF6 HQ to coordinate engineer activity and validate RHQ 36 Engr Regt. 9 RLC formed an OF4-led Theatre Enabling Group( TEG), commanding elements from 9 Bn REME, 247 Signal Sqn, RMP, and 36 Engr Regt— all overseen by Observer Mentors from HQ 104 Bde and ultimately validated by the Comd. By placing the bulk of the TEG HQ Staff in the Bde Tactical Operations Centre in the UK, the number of HQ Staff actually deployed to Latvia was significantly reduced, lowering the deployed footprint and sustainment burden, and reducing risk to personnel. The deployed elements of the TEG worked to inload 8 Engr Bde’ s personnel and equipment into Latvia and delivered the Reception, Staging and Onwards Movement phase of the deployment. During the exercise 9RLC was tested in multiple planning and sustainment tasks including support to the Canda-led NATO eFP Battlegroup in Latvia to inload vital stocks for an incoming battlegroup. It also directly supported the Latvian improvement of national defensive infrastructure. It then sustained the deployed force through its’ series of engineering activities whilst planning and then executing the Rearwards Movement, Staging and Dispatch activity to bring everyone safely home to the UK.
For 104 Bde, this marked the culmination of this year’ s CYCLONE series for 9 RLC, with some valuable experience gained, new bridges built( literally and metaphorically) and lessons for next year’ s cycle identified, all setting the Bde and wider TEG up for other enabling activities in 2026.
18 WINTER 2025 the imjin @ HQARRC NATO Allied Rapid Reaction Corps @ HQARRC